Grazing sought for drought and flood-affected Canterbury livestock

Photo / Corporal Sean Spivey

Drought and flood-affected farmers in Canterbury need alternative grazing for their livestock, says the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Widespread flooding caused by a historic one in 200-year rainfall event caused significant damage to thousands of hectares across the region.

MPI had allocated $4.5 million to support flood-affected farmers, including providing grants to help repair uninsurable damage to farms.

"I have visited farms where pasture and winter fodder crops have been buried under flood debris," MPI's director of Rural Communities and Farming Support Nick Story said.

"This event has been an extremely challenging situation for farmers. The worst affected farms have a need for alternative grazing for their sheep, beef cattle and dairy cows."

MPI's national Feed Coordination Service was expanded to help find grazing, distribute donated feed, and connect people with surplus feed to farmers who need it.

"Our feed coordinators had more than 35 additional requests from flood-affected farmers in the first half of June who need grazing and feed."

MPI's director of Rural Communities and Farming Support Nick Story. Photo / Supplied

It was likely the worst flood-affected paddocks would be unusable for some time, so MPI expected demand would increase further through the winter, Story said.

"The service is keen to hear from people who may be able to help with grazing, especially those in Otago, Southland or the West Coast."

Farmers could also receive free expert support to complete a feed plan to help make crucial decisions about feed this winter and ahead of spring.

"The service helps calculate feed demand and supply, and options to fill feed gaps. Having a feed plan can help give you piece of mind," Story said.

People with surplus feed or grazing, or farmers who need support to do a feed plan, were encouraged to call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) or to register online on MPI's website here.

Farmers needing help to clean-up can call or register using the details above to enable industry groups to match them with volunteers.